Features
The Z970R is powered by an air-cooled, vertical shaft engine:
Engine features include:
The engine is easy to service, including changing the oil:
ZTrak™ Z900 Mowers are equipped with a dual-element, canister-style air filter, easily accessible from the rear of the machine without tools.
The ZTrak™ Z900 Mowers are equipped with one single-fill, top-draw fuel tank:
Under normal conditions, load, and operation, fuel consumption for carbureted Z900 ZTrak Mowers is 1.5 U.S. gph (5.7 L/hr) to 2.2 U.S. gph (8.3 L/hr), depending on the horsepower and conditions.
7-Iron PRO mower decks have demonstrated quality, performance, and durability. They deliver a high-quality cut in diverse conditions.
Key features of the 7-Iron PRO mower deck:
On every commercial mower deck there are three 1-in. (25-mm) spindles that are cold-forged and heat-treated for strength. Spindles are supported by precision ball bearings that provide great performance and reliability.
Mower deck |
Z920M |
Z930M |
Z950M |
Z955M EFI |
Z960M |
Z965M EFI |
Z975M EFI |
Z950R |
Z955R EFI |
Z965R EFI |
Z970R |
Z985R EFI |
48-in. (122-cm) 7Iron PRO side- discharge |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54-in. (137-cm) 7Iron PRO side- discharge |
x |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
60-in. (152-cm) 7Iron PRO side- discharge |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
72-in. (183-cm) 7Iron PRO side- discharge |
|
|
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
The deck step safely aids the operator's entrance and egress from machine.
For professional landscapers and government municipalities requiring rear discharge placement of grass and debris, John Deere FastBack PRO rear-discharge mower decks deliver a commercial zero-turn mowing solution for both gas and diesel machines. Advantages of a rear-discharge mower include:
A rear-discharge mower deck is ideally suited for:
*NOTE: Operators maintaining turf outside of target areas are encouraged to evaluate rear-discharge dispersion through a cut quality demonstration to ensure satisfaction.
Mower deck |
Z930M |
Z950M |
Z955M EFI |
Z960M |
Z975M EFI |
Z950R |
Z955R EFI |
Z965R EFI |
Z970R |
Z985R EFI |
Z994R |
Z997R |
60-in. (152-cm) FastBack PRO rear- discharge |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
72-in. (183-cm) FastBack PRO rear- discharge |
|
x |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
A large volume of material can be thoroughly processed with the deep-deck design:
The deck is suspended from and supported by the machine to provide a level cut. Mower deck wheels and rollers help smooth out the mowing job in uneven conditions and reduce the chance of scalping the lawn:
These rear-discharge decks are designed to stand up to heavy-duty commercial use:
Durability is designed into the mower blade drive system:
Extra reliability and long life are provided by cast-iron blade spindle housings:
Minimal service requirements increase uptime:
Extra convenience and security are provided by a serrated surface that is welded to the top left corner of the deck, providing additional traction when entering and exiting the operator station.
The seat has the ComfortGlide fore/aft suspension system that gives superior ride comfort over uneven areas:
A fully adjustable suspension seat with armrests is standard on R Series:
Two-lever hydrostatic control provides the following:
Foot pegs help in providing the operator with a comfortable foot placement:
Foot platform isolators provide the operator with added comfort:
The Brake & Go starting system is a John Deere exclusive. This feature makes the starting process on all ZTrak™ mowers easier, while also making it possible to remove two interlock switches from the machine.
The Brake & Go starting procedure helps a novice operator look and feel like a professional. To start the machine, the parking brake must be engaged. It does not matter whether the power take-off (PTO) switch is on or off, nor does it matter if the control levers are pulled in or in the out position.
As long as the parking brake is engaged, the machine will start. When the parking brake is applied, the control levers cannot be moved to the forward or reverse positions.
The motion control levers have two height positions and can also be adjusted forward or rearward within the slotted holes. The levers should be adjusted so the operator can achieve a full range of control operation comfortably.
The easy-to-turn (from-the-seat) tracking adjustment allows operators to keep their mowers straight and able to produce professional striping results.
Several storage areas are provided on the ZTrak machines. A convenient cup holder is also available.
The controls are grouped together on the right console, providing one central location for:
An easy-to-use cutting-height lift system allows the operator to adjust the mower deck height with no tools and minimal effort. The easy-to-grip knob allows operators to dial in the desired height of cut (HOC).
Cutting height can be adjusted from approximately 1 in. to 5.5 in. (2.5 cm to 14 cm). Each increment on the knob adjusts the HOC approximately 0.25 in. (0.64 cm). The deck can also be raised and locked in a transport position to provide maximum ground clearance when moving the machine from one area to another.
The transport lock function allows the deck to be returned to the previous HOC after being in the transport position:
This design increases productivity by allowing operators to change the cutting height without having to leave the seat.
The comfort and convenience package combines large, ergonomically angled control levers with specially padded grips to provide unmatched comfort and reduced fatigue:
The control levers have built-in electronic controls to raise or lower the mower deck or disengage the mower blades.
The push button (A) on the left motion control lever raises the mower deck.
The push button (B) on the right-hand control lever shuts off the PTO.
Once the PTO has been shut off using the button, the PTO switch must be pushed down and pulled up again to engage the PTO.
An exclusive 2-year, unlimited hour/3-year, 1200-hour (whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper warranty is standard for all John Deere M Series Mowers. The warranty is best in its class and places John Deere at the forefront of commercial mowing. It is also hassle free, with one company handling all of the paperwork.
NOTE: 36 months or 1200 hours, whichever comes first. For the first 24 months, there is no hour limitation.
An exclusive 2-year, unlimited hour/3-year, 1500-hour (whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper warranty is standard on all John Deere R Series mowers. The warranty is best in the industry and puts John Deere at the forefront of commercial mowing. It is also hassle free, with one company handling all of the paperwork.
NOTE: 36 months or 1500 hours, whichever comes first. For the first 24 months, there is no hour limitation.
Mowers decks are evaluated by the manufacturer (John Deere Turf Care) and conform to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) B71.4 2004 safety certification specifications for commercial turf care equipment.
The durability features of the frame are as follows:
A steel rear bumper provides protection for the machine. The bumper is made of two pieces, making it easy to remove and install when using a material collection system (MCS).
A rear hitch can be added to the steel bumper for towing purposes. ZTrak M and R Series Mowers can tow up to 400 lb (181.4 kg).
Michelin, X, and Tweel are trademarks of Michelin North America, Inc.
The hydrostatic drive included with the Z900 Z Trak Mowers features two 13-cc (0.8-cu in.) unitized hydraulic pumps combined with commercial-grade, heavy-duty, 13-cc (0.8-cu in.) wheel motors into a single unit. The drive units feature cross porting, where the hydraulic fluid from the side doing the least work is filtered and then fed into the input of the side doing the most work. This ensures that the coolest fluid is going into the side working the hardest in order to provide the best performance during extended hillside operation in the same direction.
One pump and one motor drive each wheel on the Z900 ZTrak™ Mowers. This provides several benefits:
The design of the Z900 Series makes many service components reachable and easily accessible from the ground.
All ZTrak™ Mowers come with a maintenance label that is conveniently located inside the right-hand console. The label is written on English and Spanish languages and includes daily service check points, approximate fluid capacities, and tire pressures.
To speed access to owner information web pages, a QR code is printed onto a product identification number (PIN) label located near the onboard storage. The owner information web pages that include links to:
On Z920M, Z930M, Z950M, Z960M, Z950R, Z970R models, the hour meter shows the number of hours the machine is run when the key switch is in the on position. It only counts the hours the engine is actually running. Machine diagnostics are the first step of a monitoring system to help operators quickly diagnose common downtime issues. A trouble code light is included on the hour meter.
Use of the hour meter and service interval chart helps determine when the machine will need service.
The Z955M, Z965M, Z975M, Z955R, Z965R, and Z985R EFI models include a modern display panel that speeds trouble shooting by providing error codes, system voltage, and circuit continuity tests that can report switch functionality and circuit continuity in seconds, without tools. These models are also equipped with a Service ADVISOR™ J1939 port to speed dealer diagnostics.
The spacious operator station has been designed for comfort, visibility, and ease of use:
The ROPS and seat belt work in conjunction to provide a protective zone around the operator:
Foldable ROPS and retractable seat belt are standard equipment:
ROPS position | Height at top of ROPS |
Upright | 73 in. (185 cm) |
Down | 47 in. (119 cm) |
BUC11438 LED work lights provides the ability to mow at twilight and are available as a field installed attachment. See attachment story for compatibility and requirements.
BUC11406 LED beacon light signals to others that the machine is approaching and is available as a field installed attachment. See attachment story for compatibility and requirements.
A JDLink™ M Modem - 4G connects a commercial mower to the John Deere Operations Center, which enables you to manage your fleet more efficiently, increase productivity, and reduce labor costs. With a modem and Operations Center, you are always connected to the work in progress and can make timely adjustments to keep your fleet mowing.
A JDLink M Modem - 4G is standard equipment on model year 2024 and newer TerrainCut Front and Wide-Area Mowers.
A modem can be field installed on:
See compatibility section for serial number breaks and requirements.
The John Deere Operations Center tracks your fleet and provides tools to analyze mower data. The connected features vary by mower model.
Models |
Location and status |
GPS speed |
Geofencing and curfews |
Engine hours |
Maintenance planner |
Machine Analyzer Tool |
Fuel level |
Fuel consumption |
Diagnostic trouble codes |
Service Advisor Remote |
Z700 ZTrak Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Key |
X |
X |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Z900 ZTrak Mowers with carbureted engines |
X |
X |
X |
Key |
X |
X |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Z900 ZTrak Mowers with EFI engines |
X |
X |
X |
Sync |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Z994R ZTrak Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Key |
X |
X |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
E Series QuikTrak Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Key |
X |
X |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Q820M, Q850M, and Q850R QuikTrak Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Sync |
X |
X |
X |
--- |
X |
--- |
Q865R EFI QuikTrak Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Sync |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
R Series commercial walk-behind mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Key |
X |
X |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1550 TerrainCut Front Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Key |
X |
X |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1570, 1575, 1580, and 1585 TerrainCut Front Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Sync |
X |
X |
--- |
X |
X |
X |
1600 TerrainCut Wide-Area Mowers |
X |
X |
X |
Sync |
X |
X |
--- |
X |
X |
X |
The JDLink M Modem - 4G regularly transmits the location and operational status of each mower in the fleet so you can monitor mowing progress in Operations Center.
The modem regularly transmits the mower’s engine hours to inform maintenance planning and balance use.
Factory or custom maintenance plans can be established in Operations Center. Maintenance alerts are sent when engine hours reach maintenance intervals.
On select products, the modem reports the time the mower spent transporting, idling, and working. The Operations Center’s Machine Analyzer tool reports usage data which allows you to analyze operator behavior, identify causes of low productivity, and initiate corrective actions.
On select products, the modem reports the fuel level. On these products, an analysis of fuel consumption is available in the Operations Center Machine Analyzer Tool. Measuring fuel consumption enables you to address causes of excessive fuel use.
On select products, the modem transmits the trouble codes generated by the mower’s control units to the Operations Center. Addressing DTCs can reduce downtime and repair costs. For example, a low-engine oil pressure DTC can indicate an engine is low on oil. Addressing the issue can prevent costly downtime and repairs.
On select products, John Deere dealers can perform remote diagnostics, software programming, and adjustments without the cost of a service call.
A JDLink M Modem - 4G is standard equipment on model year 2024 and newer (SN 110,001-) TerrainCut Front Mowers and model year 2024 and newer (SN 690,001-) TerrainCut Wide-Area Mowers.
A JDLink M Modem - 4G can be field installed on the commercial mowing products listed below. Field installation attachments simplify modem installation, and include brackets, mounting hardware, harness, and instructions. Field installation requires a JDLink M Modem - 4G to be ordered separately.
Model |
Compatible model years |
Installation attachment |
Z700 ZTrak Mowers |
2024 and newer (SN 080,001-) |
BUC11759 |
Gasoline-powered Z900 ZTrak Mowers |
2024 and newer (SN 130,001-) |
BUC11759 |
Z994R ZTrak Mowers |
2024 and newer (SN 070,001-) |
BUC11759 |
Z997R ZTrak Mowers |
2021 and newer (SN 070,001-) |
To be determined |
QuikTrak Mowers |
2024 and newer (SN 010,001-) |
BUC11744 |
R Series commercial walk-behind mowers |
2025 and newer (SN 070,001-) |
BUC11918* |
TerrainCut Front Mowers |
2022-2023 (SN 080,001-110,000) |
BUC11797 |
1600 TerrainCut Wide-Area Mowers |
2023 (SN 680,001-690,000) |
BUC11797 |
*Expected Spring of 2025
John Deere provides the commercial mower industry with the Michelin X Tweel Turf technology for Commercial ZTrak Mowers:
Michelin is a world leader in tire manufacturing and technology. This airless radial tire solution is an industry first for John Deere, which provides an additional advantage to John Deere customers.
Advantages of the Michelin X Tweel Turf include:
Heavy-duty construction provides the ultimate in performance and reliable operation:
NOTE: In some cases, different size Tweel tires are required depending on the mower deck size.
The ZTrak M Series Mowers with 48-in. (122-cm) mower decks come with 24x9.5-12 4 PR drive tires. M Series Mowers with 54-in. (137-cm), 60-in. (152- cm), and 72-in. (183-cm) decks come with 24x12-12 4 PR drive tires. All M Series Mowers are equipped with 13x6.5-6 front flat-free semi-pneumatic caster tires.
The ZTrak R Series Mowers with 48-in. (122-cm) mower decks come with 24x9.5-12 4 PR drive tires. R Series Mowers with 54-in. (133-cm), 60-in. (152-cm) and 72-in. (183-cm) decks come with 24x12-12 4 PR drive tires. All R Series Mowers are equipped with 15x6-6 front flat-free semi-pneumatic tires.
The tires provide:
Michelin, X, and Tweel are trademarks of Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin SCA.
Key Specs | Current Model |
Engine Manufacturer/model | FX1000V |
Engine power | Gross at 3,600 rpm 35 hp 26.1 kW |
Fuel tank capacity | 11.5 U.S. gal. 43.5 L |
Mower deck size | 60-in. (152-cm) 7Iron™ PRO side-discharge 72-in. (183-cm) 7Iron™ PRO side-discharge 72-in. (183-cm) FastBack™ PRO rear-discharge |
Blade tip speed | 7Iron PRO: Approximately 18,500 fpm 72-in. (183-cm) FastBack: Approximately 18,000 fpm |
Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Speed range | 0-12 mph 0-19.3 km/h |
Drive wheels | 24x12-12 |
Caster wheels | 13x6.5-6 |
Warranty | 36 months or 1500 hours, whichever comes first First 24 months, no hour limitation |
Engine | |
Manufacturer/Model | FX1000V |
Power | Gross at 3,600 rpm 35 hp 26.1 kW |
Displacement | 61 cu in. 999 cc |
Cylinders | Two |
Crankcase capacity | With filter, 2 U.S. qt 1.9 L |
Oil filter | Full flow, replaceable |
Lubrication | Full pressure |
Cooling | Air |
Air cleaner | Pre-cleaner Yes Heavy-duty canister type with safety element |
Injection | |
Fuel system | |
Fuel type | Gasoline |
Fuel consumption | Under normal conditions, load, operation, and dependent on loads and operating conditions 1.1-1.9 U.S. gal./hr 4.2-7.2 L/hr |
Fuel tank capacity | 11.5 U.S. gal. 43.5 L |
Fuel tank switch/shut-off valve | Yes |
Electrical system | |
Charge system | 30 amp |
Battery voltage | 12 V |
Cold cranking amp | 300 amp |
Hour meter | Standard, digital |
Operator presence starting system | Brake-N-Go (foot) |
Drivetrain | |
Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Hydraulic pumps | |
Wheel motors | Tuff Torq heavy-duty integrated piston wheel motor |
Travel speed | Speed range 0-12 mph 0-19.3 km/h Forward 0-12 mph 0-19.3 km/h Reverse 0-4.5 mph 0-7.2 km/h |
Speed and direction control | Twin levers |
Hydraulic capacity | 5.9 U.S. qt 5.6 L |
Hydraulic oil cooler | |
Filter | Internal, replaceable |
Buyer's note | |
Tires | |
Drive wheels | 24x12-12 |
Rear tires | |
Load rating | 4 PR |
Brakes | |
Dynamic braking | Twin levers |
Park brake | Internal wet disk integrated in the transmission |
Park brake actuation | Foot brake |
PTO | |
Type | Electro-magnetic, 225 lb-ft 305 Nm |
Drive | V-belt |
Mower decks | |
Size | 60-in. (152-cm) 7Iron™ PRO side-discharge 72-in. (183-cm) 7Iron™ PRO side-discharge 72-in. (183-cm) FastBack™ PRO rear-discharge |
Deck construction | 7-Iron™ PRO: 7-gauge, 0.179-in. (4.6-mm) one-piece forged steel FastBack™ PRO: 7-gauge, 0.179-in. (4.6-mm) fabricated steel |
Discharge | |
Height-of-cut range | Increments 0.25 in. 0.64 cm 1-5.5 in. 2.54-14 cm |
Cutting width | 60, 72 in. 152, 183 cm |
Deck thickness | |
Blades | |
Length | Varies by deck size |
Thickness | 0.25 in. 0.64 cm |
Blade tip speed | 7Iron PRO: Approximately 18,500 fpm 72-in. (183-cm) FastBack: Approximately 18,000 fpm |
Number | Three |
Wheels | |
Caster wheel type | Flat free |
Caster wheels | 13x6.5-6 |
Front anti-scalp rollers | RH, center, LH |
Rear anti-scalp rollers | Standard |
Dimensions | |
Length | 84 in. 213 cm |
Width | With chute down, 74, 86 in. 188, 218 cm Rear discharge, 75.8 in. 192.5 cm |
Height | With ROPS up, 73 in. 185 cm With ROPS down, 47 in. 119 cm |
Weight | 1,326 to 1,445 lb 601 to 655 kg |
Operation | |
Rollover protective structure (ROPS) | Yes |
Slope operating limit | 20 degrees (10 degrees with material collection system installed) |
Additional information | |
Offers & Discounts
0% APR fixed rate for 361 or 48 months2
$750 Discount1
Reviews
Bought used 72" Z970R, now has 2150 hours on it. I have several 900 series Z's, have ran 2/3 of the brands of commercial zero turns you see today. I've ran the Deere M655 zero turns if anyone even remembers them. Not so awesome. Ran all the 7 series, the first Deere zero turns worth discussing, and the ones that set the benchmark that the 9 series continues to surpass! Back to this ol high hour 970R... Cuts and drives just like a new one. Loads of power. Strong hydraulics. Love the convenience package. Use the hydraulic deck lift constantly. This thing passes everything but a gas can! Who cares! It seems to mow 50% more in an hour than the 60's do. Labor costs more than fuel. This machine is by far the most used and most productive in my small, but growing fleet. Looking to add another 72" and possibly going diesel this time but they are a lot more weight. The 970R with tweels will go almost anywhere you are willing to ride it.
I just bought a New Z970. As a Mechanical Engineer here is my experience in the first 5 engine hours of use. The thing has to be choked Every time to start (Kawasaki is the new Dodge when it comes to starting. The hydrostat are like driving a 1960 grain truck down the road (10 to 2 just to keep it straight). In my smooth concrete garage, I can move the handles 2” without the mower moving. Right front wheel is off the ground more than it’s on the ground. The gliding seat already sticks and doesn’t move unless you force it to. They came and got it today with 5 hours on it and original first tank of gas (1/4) still in it.
Very capable machine; however not completely satisfied; engine blew after only 119 hours and had to be replaced. All routine maintenance had been performed. Up to the point of the failure was extremely satisfied and there was no warning sign of a failure coming. Because of that would probably not buy one of these again.
I live on 38 acres of land with 20 acres of pasture grass. The 970R cuts through the fields with ease and is 3 times faster than a tractor with a bush hog or tow behind mower. Cuts the grass in one pass nice and clean. The 72" mower deck handles high volume and discharges neatly.
This is a great mower that gets the job down..however mowing 2.5 hours on flat ground uses 1/2 tank of gas!! Not quite what was advertised and more of a pain to try to get job down when having to refill so often. We did have this looked at by dealer and everything was fine. Don’t waste the money on striper it’s way to narrow.
USE TO MOW FAIRGROUNDS AROUND 12 ACRES THE MOWER WANTS TO GO AND MOW...ENGINE IS A BEAST...
Pros:
I did a ton of research before I made this purchase. Being a Deere customer for several years I was naturally a little biased but with the amount of money I was about to throw down I wanted be absolutely certain I was making the right choice for my situation. I test drove a handful of other brands, and had many discussions with the sales guys. Every model had features I liked and disliked, even the Deere. The decision was made to go with the Deere because of the the overall quality and comfort of the machine and because Deere put together the best deal financially. I ordered my machine with a 60” deck, suspension seat, and the Tweels. I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. This machine will give an excellent cut at nearly any speed you want to run, I have a large mostly open yard and run it at about 3/4 speed wherever I can and it looks just as good as the areas I have go slow. Rough terrain is a problem across the board with zero turn machines. I have not tried any of the front suspension gimmicks on the market, but, I am looking at them a little closer. If you are on the fence about this machine like I was I can tell you I am very pleased with my decision to go with the Deere. Machines in this class are a lot of money and in this case you get what you pay for. I expect to be running this machine for the next ten years at a minimum. One thing I dislike, one idler pulley on the deck doesn’t have enough clearance between the pulley and the deck, makes it a little harder to clean under than the other pulleys.
I completely recommend the purchase of the Z970R if you have acreage. We bought the Z970R in May 2019 for a new property with some acreage and we LOVE IT! Have never owned more than a push mower but needed much more with our new acreage and hills. Initially thought of a tractor with mow capability just because of the diversity but in the end did this for expediency of mowings sake and this was less expensive for how much I would need it as well as MUCH faster. The mower came with zwheels, which are pretty interesting in their own right and I have grown to like a LOT as I don't have to worry about tire pressures or popped tires. They seem very easy to maintain. I do question their traction but have not had a real reason to question it, it just feels like it would not do great but to this point I've had no issues. We also got the deluxe extra glide seat (I extremely recommend if you will be on this 4-5 hours a stretch like I am), which I believe has saved my back and neck too many times to count. The seat is phenomenal as it can adjust for my wife as well, who is much smaller than me. This beast was well worth the purchase. I do wish I had gotten the mulching package from day but didn't know it was an option. This mower has served as a lawn mower as well as a brush hog. We have beat back about 15 feet of forest creep in most areas and the Z970R has handled the whole thing like the Champ it is. My neighbors are all jealous as I knock out almost 3 times the area they have in about the same time they use their regular ride on mowers. I can take this many more places they can. I cannot picture myself on anything else - ever.
Pros:
I have mowed with a JD 2320 since I purchased it new in 2013 and purchased a new Z970R this mowing season. The zero turn will mow circles around the tractor and makes a clean cut. I went with the 72" deck, 35HP gas engine and the nice suspension seat. The seat is amazing and I have not run out of power with the 35HP engine. The only other options I would of liked are the mulch on demand but its not available for the 72" deck and I should have went with the tweel. The mower is built very stout and I don't have any complaints after using it this last mowing season.
This machine is worthy of a challenge I have as yet been unable to provide. I am not a commercial operator but I have lots of mowing to do. Purchasing this mower was the right decision. It is more expensive but trade in value is great and parts and service are a phone call.
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